Ralph (Chesney) de Chesney (abt. 1069 - aft. 1150)

Born about 1069 in Normandy, France

Ancestors

Descendants

Ralph II Chesney was a member of the aristocracy in British Isles.

Ralph was among the earliest donors to the newly-founded Priory of Lewes, and his gifts of a hide at Aldrington and the tithes of Hangleton were confirmed by William de Warenne, the second Earl of Surrey. On the first consecration of the priory church, between 1091 and 1097, Ralph took that solemn occasion, in the presence of the three bishops who officiated, to offer, on the altar of St. Pancras, the churches of Brighton, Balcombe, Hoathly, Kymer, and Barcombe, with other gifts, lands, and tithes; while, by his permission, his son Ralph also offered a hide of land at the same time. Both these Ralphs attested the charter* which recites these gifts, and the son subsequently renewed his confirmation " for the good of his father's soul. ^[1]

• In Cambridgeshire the land was granted to William by Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. Domesday, fol. 202, "hanc terrain liberavit Willelmo Episcopus Baiocensis, sed homines de Hundreda nesciunt qua ratione." The following extracts relate to Sussex. Fol. 16 b: "Terra Archiepiscopi—Willelmus de Cahainges tenet unam virgatam de isto Manerio (Mellinges) et est ad Alsihorne." Pol. 20 b.: "Terra Comitis Moritoniensis—in burgo Pevensel, Willelmus de Cahainges (habet) duos burgenses de 2 sol."—" In Totenore Hundreda, Bevringtone et Lovringetone tenet Willelmus de Cahainges."—"In Telentone tenet Willelmus de Cahanges duas hidas de Comite."—"Isdem Willelmus tenet Serintone de Comite." And the sequel seems to justify the conclusion that he was the William who (without further designation) is mentioned, fol. 22 b, as holding Horsted and a virgate in Bontcgrave of the same earl. Fol. 17, "Boseham, Radulfus de Caisned (tenet) 17 hidas." And this probably was the "Radulfus" who (without further distinction of name) is mentioned, fol. 26 b, as holding 5 and a half hides in Bristelmestune (Brighton) under William de Warenne.

Ralph, by his marriage with Alice de Maminot, became possessed of extensive property in Kent, Dorset, and elsewhere. ^[1]

Ralph founded the nunnery of Tarent Keynes, in Dorset, and also endowed that of Luffield, in Northhamtonshire, witht he church of Cumbe Kaines c. 1150. ^[1]

Domesday tenant in Sussex & Norfolk.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Weston Styleman Walford, "The Small Cross-Legged Effigy at Horsted Keynes, Sussex. With some notice of the ancient family of Keynes," Sussex Archaeological Collections Relating to the History and Antiquities of the County Volume 1. Page 128-141. (1848) John Russell Smith London Digital Image: https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/0qI9AAAAcAAJ?hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjovoj6wo_1AhW3jYkEHVFnAxwQre8FegQIAxAw.

• Phillips, Weber, Kirk and Staggs Families of the Pacific Northwest, by Jim Weber, rootsweb.com
• FMG [1]

Acknowledgements

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